Skartaris

Basics

• Name: Skartaris
• Aliases: None
• Universe/World: DC Universe
• Notable Inhabitants: Travis Morgan (The Warlord), Tara, Deimos, Shakira, and other native tribes and creatures.
• Notable Landmarks: Shamballah (capital city), Therma (Tara's home city), The Fire Mountains, various ancient ruins.
• First Appearance: First Issue Special #8 (1975)
• Creator: Mike Grell

Snapshot

Enveloped in the eternal glow of a sun that never sets, Skartaris is a vast, hollow-world realm situated at Earth's core. A land of sword and sorcery, it boasts a myriad of diverse terrains, ranging from dense, mystical forests and formidable mountains to sprawling deserts. Home to a plethora of creatures, both wondrous and dangerous, and peoples torn from every era of Earth's history, Skartaris is a realm where magic meets the primitive, and ancient warriors coexist with dinosaurs.

Background

After crashing his plane through a hole in the Arctic ice, U.S. Air Force pilot Travis Morgan finds himself in Skartaris. This inner world, far removed from the reality Morgan knew, is influenced by an ever-present sun that hovers in the middle of the sky. In his attempts to navigate this realm, Morgan becomes the Warlord, a fierce warrior and protector of Skartaris. The realm's history is rich, marked by internal strife, power struggles, and the ongoing battle between technology and magic.

Characteristics

Skartaris marries elements of both lost world fantasies and sword-and-sorcery tales. The climate is predominantly warm due to the perpetual sun. Flora and fauna of Skartaris are a wild mix – while prehistoric creatures like dinosaurs roam the land, mystical and magical beasts are also common sights. Culturally, Skartaris is a melting pot, drawing from various Earth periods, which manifests in its weaponry, clothing, and societal structures.

Notable Locations

• Shamballah: Often considered Skartaris's capital, it's the city where Travis Morgan spends a considerable amount of time and where he encounters many of his allies.
• Therma: The home city of Tara, Morgan's lover, and a central location in Skartaris.
• The Fire Mountains: A volcanic range that poses both a threat and a landmark in Skartaris.

Role in the Narrative

Skartaris provides the setting for The Warlord comics by Mike Grell. The land's challenges and the enemies Travis Morgan faces, including the sorcerer Deimos, form the narrative's core. Additionally, the ongoing conflict between those who want to introduce advanced technology to Skartaris and those who prefer to maintain its primitive state is a recurring theme.

Appearances

Skartaris is central to Mike Grell's The Warlord series and has made appearances in other DC comics. The realm has crossed over with other DC characters, and its influence has seeped into larger DC Universe storylines.

Notes

Skartaris is an homage to the "hollow Earth" theory and tales of hidden lands, reminiscent of works like Edgar Rice Burroughs' Pellucidar. Over the years, its lore has expanded, encompassing various facets of fantasy, from epic battles and romance to political intrigue and the enduring clash between magic and technology.

References

• Grell, Mike. The Warlord. DC Comics, starting from 1975.
• Various The Warlord comic issues and story arcs published by DC Comics.
• DC Comics Encyclopedia: All-New Edition. DK, 2016.